Saturday, August 24, 2013

My uncle Billy passed away a few days ago. He’d been having
health issues over the last few years, but the news still came as a sudden, and
very sad shock. He was one of my earliest inspirations for becoming a chef, and
as many of you know, we filmed several recipes together over the years from his
kitchen in Manchester, NY.

After I left the California Culinary Academy to start Food Wishes, I gave him one
of my chef coats, and whenever I’d visit, he’d be wearing that coat, busily
cooking away, looking every bit the part. He was a barber and hairstylist by
trade, but Uncle Billy could have been a world-class chef. His passion for food,
and for life, was boundless. Running up the stairs from his second, basement
kitchen, carrying a giant pan of food, smiling broadly, talking loudly, wearing
that old, white chef coat, is how I will always remember him.

I can think of no better tribute than to re-post the videos
he was involved in below. In the “Homemades” video, you can actually hear Uncle
Bill helping me with the narration. Of course, in true Food Wishes style, we
only see his hands, but by watching the stylish way he handles the food, it’s
very easy to see that he had a special touch.

Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to my Aunt Angela
and the rest of the family. I can’t begin to imagine how difficult this is for
them, but hopefully they can take some comfort in knowing just how much pleasure Uncle Billy brought to those around him. Not only did he feed the
party, but he was usually the life of it too. He will be dearly missed.

Rest in peace, Uncle Billy. We loved you, and will continue
to love and remember you through all the amazing dishes you so generously
shared. I know one thing, the food in heaven just got a lot better. Enjoy.

Oh man, I loved his chicken. God bless his soul. I didn't know him, but his food told me that he was a wonderful person. I will miss his cooking. May he rest in eternal happiness. I'll keep cooking that chicken my entire life:

Chef John, I'm so sorry for your loss. We're so blessed to have special people in our lives, but it's so hard when we have to say goodbye. In the end, we hold on to the memories of the good times and smile when we remember them. God bless you and your family.

My sincere condolences Chef John. We will keep you and your family in our prayers. After following and enjoying your posts for so many years I almost feel like they're my family too. So sorry for your loss.

John, we keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. I have just watched Uncle Billy's hands as they made homemade pasta and the chicken dish. What a beautiful light touch Uncle Billy had. Just like an artist. Thank you for sharing Uncle Billy with us. Blessings,Pat and Family

Chef John, my thoughts are with you and your family at this sad time. Uncle Billy sounds like a wonderful character. While you'll never know most of us fans from a bar of soap, I think most would agree that it's an honour and a privilege to be permitted a peek at your wonderful family life as part of your blogging, and I'm very sad that you're hurting. Much love from down under xo

Death is never easy, no matter how much you think you're prepared for it. Please extend our thoughts, prayers and our sincerest condolences to your Aunt Angela and the whole entire family. May your Uncle Billy rest in eternal peace.

I'm new here, found you while searching for homemade Mac N Cheese recipes...love your recipes, especially the Italiano ones. Very sorry to see that you lost your uncle, but thankfully you have these videos and the memories to continue to enjoy in his honor.

Dear Chef John,I am so sorry about your loss of uncle Billy! I just watched the videos of uncle Billy's recipes and will definitly make them. Thank you uncle Billy and chef John for your love for food and life.

Chef John,I have made all of the recipes you filmed with your Uncle Bill and they have all become family favorites of ours. I am thankful for the inspiration he gave to you and in turn you have bestowed on so many of your followers. Heart felt condolences from my family to yours...

Great tribute. Very sorry for your loss. Part of him lives on in you though. What ever inspiration he gave you will go with you forever, and will be passed on through those that you inspire. And looking down from heaven he will be able to see that spark travel through all the people the flames of its inspiration has touched. Life is breautiful. God bless you John.

Sorry for your loss. I actually made Chicken D’Arduini and loved it. It was truly a recipe from a great, yet humble chef, which is how I picture your Uncle Billy. My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

I'm so sorry to hear this. He was a wonderful and inspiring cook and you seemed to have really loved him. I enjoyed the videos with him very much. My condolences and wishing you and your family strength with this loss.

I've been watching your videos for years, and learned to cook fresh pasta from the homemades video. My condolences for your loss and anyone who inspired you to be a chef is a gift to everyone who has the pleasure of watching your videos.

I've been watching your videos for years, and learned to cook fresh pasta from the homemades video. My condolences for your loss and anyone who inspired you to be a chef is a gift to everyone who has the pleasure of watching your videos.

You are an amazing cook. I enjoy your sense of humor and your culinary insights and guidelines. Your Uncle has left his legacy implanted in your heart. We will all be cooking together again once we all cross over. You bring a little heaven here on earth. Thanks for sharing your gift.

I would like to thank you and your uncle Billy for sharing such an intimate experience as family cooking. I feel honestly blessed to have watched such passionate hands knead and mix their love of food with life. May his soul rest in peace, and his recipe's live on.

My son and I have been fans of your site for years now. And Chicken D'Arduini is one of our favorite recipes. Its also one of my sons favorite videos to watch. He's autistic and like many autistic children, he latches on to certain things and won't let go... Chicken D'Arduini is one such video. It provides my son with some sort of comfort and calm. Thank you and may your uncle rest in peace.

Chicken D'Arduini was the first thing I ever saw here, the first recipe of your/his I ever tried. I'm so sorry for your loss, and so happy that you shared your love of good food and a good man with the rest of us.

Chef John I'm very sorry for your loss. I just wanted to let you know that your uncle's chicken d'arduini has been a favorite dish in my home, even with picky 6 year old son and 3 year old daughter! We literally have this dish a couple times a month! His legacy lives on!

I just came across your Memorial Post for your Uncle Billy and I'm sorry for your loss.

Just to show how much positive influence he's had on me (through your video posts), his Chicken D’Arduini recipe has become a regular dish that I make every month. My relatives fell in love with the rich, but simple flavors the first time I made it. Now they've come to know the recipe as Chicken D’Arduini, a "traditional Italian dish".